Three generations of Dubai rulers in India: A legacy of trust and diplomacy

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived in India on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, continuing a decades-long tradition of diplomatic and cultural engagement between the UAE and India.

Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sheikh Hamdan shared a message on social media, calling the UAE-India relationship one “built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by our shared vision for a future of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable prosperity.”

The visit marks the continuation of a longstanding connection between the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai and India. Three generations of Dubai royals have visited the South Asian nation since 1974, strengthening political, economic and cultural ties, according to Khaleej Times.

The first official visit took place in 1974, when then-ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum met with Indian President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. During that trip, Sheikh Rashid toured Agra and visited the iconic Taj Mahal. A photo from the visit shows a young Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—now prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai—smiling beside his father.

In 2014, Sheikh Hamdan took part in a unique experience by diving alongside an elephant named RajanScreengrab from M_Hamdan_Fazza

In 2007, Sheikh Mohammed made an official visit to India, meeting with then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Singh praised the UAE’s labor laws and described the country as safe and welcoming, particularly for the Indian expatriate workforce.

Sheikh Mohammed returned in 2010, meeting again with Singh to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in finance and banking.

In 2014, Sheikh Hamdan made an unofficial trip to India, where he famously swam with 'Rajan,' the world’s only swimming elephant. Sharing a photo of the unique experience on Instagram, the crown prince called it an "unusual, yet incredible feeling."